James C. Kenny, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland,
to Visit La Salle University on March 13

The Honorable James C. Kenny, United States Ambassador to Ireland, will visit La Salle University on March 13 as part of his first official visit to Philadelphia.
Kenny is scheduled to meet with La Salle students, including those who have studied in Ireland, faculty, and staff at 1 p.m. at the University’s Dunleavy Auditorium. This appearance is free and open to the public.

The purpose of his trip to La Salle is to update the La Salle community on the peace process in Northern Ireland, the country's dynamic economy, and overall relations between the U.S. and Ireland.

While in Philadelphia, Kenny will also be attending the Irish American Business Chamber and Network's Saint Patrick's Dinner 2006 at the Union League.
Kenny was appointed ambassador to Ireland by President George W. Bush, and he presented his credentials to the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, on October 31, 2003. In 2004, Kenny received the Flax Trust Award. The Flax Trust was founded in Belfast in 1977 and is the largest community regeneration project in Ireland. Lynn University and the American College Dublin awarded Kenny an honorary “Doctor of Humane Letters” in 2005.

Before becoming ambassador, Kenny was Executive Vice President of Kenny Construction Company, which is involved in building projects across the United States, and President of Kenny Management Services, which has overseen large, complex construction projects such as the Chicago Midway Airport expansion and the new stadium for the Chicago Bears football team.

Kenny has served on the boards of directors for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Bradley University, and Children’s Memorial Hospital.
He has received several business and community service awards, including the Hispanic American Construction Association’s Contractor of the Year and a Salvation Army award for the Tree of Lights campaign in 2001.

Former President George H.W. Bush appointed Kenny to the National Corporation for Housing Partnerships. He also served on the transition team for President George W. Bush. Kenny was a member of President Bush’s first overseas delegation in February 2002, traveling to Nicaragua for the inauguration of President Enrique Bolanos.

He was graduated from Bradley University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He and his wife, Margaret, have four children.